Artificial intelligence has dazzled the world in the past year, largely because of large language models like ChatGPT that seemingly converse with users. To do this, AI needs to learn physics.

For some, the spread of artificial intelligence and robotics poses a threat to our privacy, our jobs – even our safety, as more and more tasks are handed over to silicon-based brains. But even the most vocal critics highlight the potential good that AI and automated systems could do for humanity. As part of BBC Future Now's Grand Challenges, a panel of experts recently described how they saw our world changing as the machines we use grow smarter. Now, in our Grand Ideas series, BBC Future Now has sought out projects where advanced AI and automation is already beginning to tackle some of the world's knottiest, and dangerous, problems, from illnesses to violence. "We should view AI not as something competing with us, but as something that can amplify our own capabilities," says Takeo Kanade, a professor of robotics at Carnegie Mellon University.

For some, the spread of artificial intelligence and robotics poses a threat to our privacy, our jobs – even our safety, as more and more tasks are handed over to silicon-based brains. The 21st Century is continually throwing us new challenges and expecting us to adapt – but for every earth-shattering megatrend, there are dozens of genius solutions. Follow them all in BBC Future's special series, Grand Ideas. But even the most vocal critics highlight the potential good that AI and automated systems could do for humanity. As part of BBC Future Now's Grand Challenges, a panel of experts recently described how they saw our world changing as the machines we use grow smarter.